A Better Peace: The War Room Podcast

If you look at all the civil wars over the past two hundred years, you can document foreign fighters in more than a quarter of them Foreign fighters are "individuals who are not citizens of a state where there is a conflict but who travel to that state to become part of the non-government forces participating in insurgencies," according to our guest speaker Dr. David Malet of American University. Although it is only recently that scholars have taken an interest in people willing to travel to faraway places and fight, foreign fighters have been an integral part of many insurgencies over the past two centuries. These fighters are not mercernaries as they are unlikely to be paid well (or paid at all), so what drives them to participate? Is it ideology or something else? Does the nature of the conflict matter? David Malet presents a number of cases from the 1800s onward and finds the answer to be quite complex. WAR ROOM Podcast editor Jacqueline E. Whitt moderates.   Dr. David Malet is an assistant professor in the School of Public Affairs, American University. Jacqueline E. Whitt is Professor of Strategy at the U.S. Army War College and the WAR ROOM Podcast Editor. The views expressed in this presentation are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Army War College, U.S. Army, or Department of Defense. Photo: Somali policemen look at the wreckage of a car at the scene of an explosion following an attack in Somalia's capital Mogadishu in 2016. Photo Credit: REUTERS/Feisal Omar

The Navy's trying to figure out, 'how can you expand your reach.' ... And in all the agreements that they forge with the studios, at no point is the Navy supposed to be paying for any of this WAR ROOM welcomes Ryan Wadle from Air University to discuss the history of how the war film industry emerged out of the interwar period. Focusing on the Navy, he relates how the military's relationship with Hollywood began as an opportunity to enhance public relations at a time when the service could only devote a couple individuals to the task. As naval films grew in popularity and Hollywood began investing in them, challenges arose such as questions over operations security, accuracy in the depictions of military life, and commercial pressures. What are the implications for the relationship between the military and Hollywood today? WAR ROOM podcast editor Jacqueline E. Whitt moderates.     Ryan Wadle is an Associate Professor of Comparative Military Studies at the eSchool of Graduate Professional Military Education and author of Selling Seapower: Public Relations and the U.S. Navy 1917-1941. Jacqueline E. Whitt is Professor of Strategy at the U.S. Army War College and the WAR ROOM Podcast Editor. The views expressed in this presentation are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Army War College, U.S. Army, or Department of Defense. Photo: Cast members Charlie Hunnam (R) and Rinko Kikuchi pose at the premiere of "Pacific Rim" at Dolby theatre in Hollywood, California July 9, 2013. Photo Credit: REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

Even a big country like the United States can't efficiently produce everything we need and want The third and final installment in our economic series focuses on how U.S. post-World War II "leadership" in the international system and burgeoning global economy has shaped U.S. strategy ever since. C. Richard Neu and Joel Hillison discuss how the U.S. once served as the exemplar of prosperity that other nations desired to follow, such that it was tolerant of its economic struggles so long as it maintained its abilities to set the rules and establish order. This position is now being challenged by actors who follow different rules, which has led to a loss of American confidence in the global economy. How does uncertainty in the global economy affect the U.S. national security interests, and therefore the U.S. military?     C. Richard Neu is a Professor at the Pardee RAND Graduate School and a former senior economist at RAND. Joel Hillison is Professor of National Security Studies at the U.S. Army War College. The views expressed in this presentation are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Army War College, U.S. Army, or Department of Defense. Photo: Bin Li, CEO of Chinese electric vehicle start-up NIO Inc., celebrates after ringing a bell as NIO stock begins trading on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) during the company’s initial public offering (IPO) at the NYSE in New York, U.S., September 12, 2018. Photo Credit: REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

How do I stay true to two masters--the Army & Air Force, and also the employers? Our series on Senior Leader Perspectives continue with an interview with the 28th Chief of the National Guard Bureau, Air Force General Joseph Lengyel. In the past two decades, the roles and commitments of the National Guard have grown tremendously, with ten percent of the force engaged worldwide whether for contingencies overseas or in response to state level missions, such as disaster response. But many men and women of the National Guard also work for an employer at home, and the demands of military service can put stress on relationships with employers. How does the Bureau Chief deal with these relationships at the national and state levels so to sustain and enhance the readiness of the National Guard?   Joseph Lengyel is a General in the U.S. Air Force and the 28th Chief of the National Guard Bureau. Jacqueline E. Whitt is the WAR ROOM Podcast Editor. The views expressed in this presentation are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Army War College, U.S. Army, or Department of Defense. Photo: Soldiers with the South Carolina National Guard conduct traffic as they build a barrier to prevent flooding off of Highway 501 in Conway, S.C. Photo Credit: U.S. Army National Guard/Staff Sgt. Jorge Intriago

There's twenty-four outcomes that you're supposed to do, they would come in and go 'Prove to me your assessment on all twenty-four of these things.' The 2018 National Defense Strategy includes the following stark assessment of Professional Military Education, or PME: "PME has stagnated, focused more on the accomplishment of mandatory credit at the expense of lethality and ingenuity." Externally, PME has been a regular subject of criticism and target of calls for reform for the past decade. But internally, PME institutions have (without much fanfare) been embracing change and innovating their curricula and methodologies to ensure its graduates are prepared to re-enter the joint force with the requisite skills and knowledge. So what continues to be the problem and what barriers still must be overcome. The 51st Commandant of the U.S. Army War College John Kem, who also serves as Deputy Commandant of the Army University, addresses these questions with Andrew A. Hill, WAR ROOM's Editor-in-Chief.   Major General John S. Kem, U.S. Army, is the 51st Commandant of the U.S. Army War College. Andrew A. Hill is Chair of Strategic Leadership at the U.S. Army War College and WAR ROOM Editor-in-Chief. The views expressed in this warcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Army War College, U.S. Army, or Department of Defense. Photo: Maj. Gen. John Kem, Commandant, congratulates Air Force Lt. Col. John A. Lesho III, who completed the Joint Studies Program and earned Joint Professional Military Education - level II credit, at the USAWC graduation ceremony, July 27, 2018 Photo Credit: U.S. Army War College photo, public domain.

We want ... to start the conversation with this current generation of military officers. The half-life of a military officer's career is pretty short The U.S. military and the militaries of many of its partner nations regard themselves as professional organizations and comrades in the profession of arms. The military is heralded as a profession composed of professionals who enact a unique domain of expert knowledge. But the meaning of this changes over time through the evolution of civil-military relations, global security, and new or emerging threats. The Army underwent a period of reflection at the turn of the century based on its Cold War experiences and renewed its commitment to professionalism. Is the time nigh for another such period? This and other questions are discussed between Ty Mayfield of Strategy Bridge and WAR ROOM's Podcast Editor Jacqueline E. Whitt.   Ty Mayfield is a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Air Force and a founding member and Editor of Strategy Bridge. Jacqueline E. Whitt is the WAR ROOM Podcast Editor. The views expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Army War College, U.S. Army, or Department of Defense. Photo: The 8th Theater Sustainment Command welcomed a new command sergeant major during a change of responsibility ceremony Sept. 10, 2018 at Hamilton Field on Schofield Barracks. Photo Credit: U.S. Army Photo.

His strategy was to strike directly at the heart of Rome ... [he selected] terrain well and positioned himself in a way that almost secured victory Hannibal Barca (247-183 BC) was a Carthaginian general at a time when the Roman Empire was growing in power and influence across the Mediterranean. Hannibal demonstrated his prowess as a tactical commander and strategic leader during the Second Punic War as he marched from the Iberian Peninsula, through the Pyrenees, Gaul, and the Alps, eventually reaching northern Italy. A string of victories--Trebia, Lake Trasimere, and Cannae--followed, but he was unable to approach Rome before having to retreat to his homeland. Despite his ultimate defeat in the Battle of Zama, Hannibal is considered one of the greatest commanders in military history. Hannibal's story is presented by U.S. Army War College Professor of Strategic Landpower GK Cunningham. WAR ROOM Editor-in-Chief Andrew A. Hill moderates.     GK Cunningham is Professor of Strategic Landpower at the U.S. Army War College. Andrew A. Hill is the WAR ROOM Editor-in-Chief. The views expressed in this presentation are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent those of the U.S. Army War College, U.S. Army, or Department of Defense. Image: Hannibal Barca crossing the Rhone, by Henri Motte (1846-1922). Image Credit: From Wikimedia Commons, public domain. Other Releases from the Great Captains series: KNOWING WHEN A WAR IS UNWINNABLE — GENERAL FREDERICK C. WEYAND (GREAT CAPTAINS)AN UNBEATEN ROMAN GENERAL: SCIPIO AFRICANUS (GREAT CAPTAINS)KNOW THY ENEMY: OSAMA BIN LADEN & RISE OF THE NON-STATE ACTOR (GREAT CAPTAINS)GEORGE C. MARSHALL & LEADING THE NATIONAL WAR EFFORT (GREAT CAPTAINS)THE PARTNERSHIP OF ROBERT E. LEE AND STONEWALL JACKSON (GREAT CAPTAINS)HANNIBAL AND THE MARCH THROUGH THE ALPS (GREAT CAPTAINS)WILLIAM T. SHERMAN: THE FIRST ‘MODERN’ GENERAL (GREAT CAPTAINS)GEORGE WASHINGTON: THE LESSONS OF FAILURE (GREAT CAPTAINS)

When military historians study battles or campaigns, what purpose does it serve? To immerse oneself deeply in the period and master the details, or to connect events of the past to the present? These and other questions are addressed in this conversation between two renowned military historians--Robert Citino of the World War II Museum and Michael Neiberg of the U.S. Army War College. They also address questions of what constitutes good historical writing and why it is especially important to develop such writing skills today.

[Washington] believes that if the Army is forced to disperse in order to feed itself, he will lose this part of the war. The harsh winter of 1777-1778 saw the American Revolution at a crossroads. Despite growing popular support among colonists for independence, the Continental Army was in a difficult state. Battle weary and low on money and supplies, the Army was neither in a position to mount a winter campaign nor defend Philadelphia and instead chose to encamp at Valley Forge. General George Washington's leadership would be tested as the Army suffered from starvation and disease due to continued supply problems, yet still managed to re-organize and re-train for renewed fighting that summer. The lessons of this experience are discussed between Professor Rick Herrera of the School of Advanced Military Studies in Fort Leavenworth and U.S. Army War College Professor of Strategy Jacqueline E. Whitt.   Rick Herrera is Professor of Military History in the School of Advanced Military Studies, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and author of For Liberty and the Republic: The American Citizen as Soldier, 1775-1861. Jacqueline E. Whitt is Professor of Strategy at the U.S. Army War College and the WAR ROOM podcast editor. The views expressed in this presentation are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Army War College, U.S. Army, or Department of Defense. Image: Painting of George Washington and Lafayette at Valley Forge by John Ward Dunsmore, 1907 (public domain).

He understands the psychology of war matters, and he is intent on trying to get the war over as quickly as possible. We continue our series on Great Captains with a look at William Tecumseh Sherman, one of the more controversial figures in the Civil War due to his actions in the South during the latter stages. A brilliant leader who understood well the impact that war has on soldiers and societies, Sherman was credited by Liddell-Hart as being the first "modern" general. But as the architect of a brutal campaign that severly weakened the Confederacy, Sherman also invoked fear and anger from enemies and friends alike. War College professors Jacqueline E. Whitt and Andrew A. Hill take a close look at Sherman and his legacy and one of histories Great Captains.   Jacqueline E. Whitt is Professor of Strategy at the U.S. Army War College and Andrew A. Hill is the Chair of Strategic Leadership at the U.S. Army War College. The views expressed in this presentation are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Army War College, U.S. Army, or Department of Defense. Photo: Cropped portrait of William T. Sherman by Mathew Brady, listed as between 1865 and 1880. Digitally enhanced from original negative. Photo Credit:  Prints and Photographs Division, Brady-Handy Collection, Library of Congress (public domain)